Business & Markets 2013
Written by Ho Wah Foon of theedgemalaysia.com
Tuesday, 25 June 2013 19:23
KUALA LUMPUR (June 25): Based on news flow and corporate announcements, stocks that may stir some interest tomorrow could include Proton, AirAsia, Mah Sing, Scientex, IHH, Perisai and Glomac.
PROTON HOLDINGS BHD [] said it is confident of recapturing the top car manufacturer slot, in terms of sales volume in Malaysia, within the next two years.
Executive Chairman Tan Sri Mohd Khamil Jamil said the national car maker is “working very hard” to introduce new car models with value-added features.
"We intend and are sure of making a come-back to the number one slot within the next two years," he told reporters after Proton's "Nama Siapa Hebat" contest.
Last year, Perusahaan Otomobil Kedua Sdn Bhd (Perodua) retained its number one position among car manufacturers in sales, with sales of 189,000 units, followed by Proton with 141,121.
Proton has set a target to sell 500,000 Proton vehicles within the next five years.
AIRASIA BHD [] has terminated its joint-venture with ANA Holdings Inc., which have jointly operated the loss-making AirAsia Japan.
The local budget carrier operator today entered into an agreement on share transfer and termination of agreements, with ANA.
AirAsia said the major factors for termination included cost management issues and inability of AirAsia Japan's management team to cultivate a culture that embraces the low cost business model.
Up to March 31, 2013, AirAsia Japan recorded an accumulated net loss of RM163.94 million.
AirAsia said ANA had offered to purchase the shares from AirAsia Investment Ltd.
ANA shall acquire the shares for 2.45 billion yen (about RM80.475 million) and the effective date for the payment of consideration sum and the transfer of the shares is June 28, 2013.
MAH SING GROUP BHD [] is confident to achieve its sales target of RM3 billion for this year, deriving from its RM3.7 billion launches for 2013.
Its executive director Datuk Steven Ng Poh Seng told the reporters after the company’s AGM today that the company has achieved RM750 million sales for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013.
Ng said that the total unbilled sales as of end of March was at RM3.55 billion, adding that with RM24.31 billion gross development value and 1,391 acres of landbank, it would sustain the company for seven to eight years.
Scientex Bhd reported a 50% rise in third quarter net profit from a year earlier on higher income from its industrial-packaging manufacturing and property development units.
Scientex said net profit came to RM29.54 million in the third quarter ended April 30, 2013, versus RM19.71 million previously. Revenue rose 52% to RM345.1 million from RM226.76 million.
Scientex said manufacturing revenue was mainly helped by "full-quarter contribution" from newly acquired firms GW Plastic and GW Packaging.
Meanwhile, Scientex’s cumulative nine-month net profit rose to RM80.02 million from RM60.53 million while revenue climbed to RM857.8 million from RM655.01 million.
The firm plans to pay a single-tier interim dividend of seven sen a share for the quarter in review.
IHH Healthcare Bhd sees the strong growth posted in the first quarter of 2013 to be repeated for the rest of the year.
Speaking to reporters after the group's first AGM, managing director Dr Lim Cheok Peng said the group's top line grew 29% in the first quarter and he expects this momentum to continue for the rest of the year.
"Using our first quarter results as a yardstick, our top line grew 29% and if this is maintained, our revenue should grow in the double digits for 2013," he added.
The three new hospitals commissioned in 2012 in Turkey and Singapore are expected to contribute to the group's revenue and net margin, Lim elaborated.
On expansion of the group, Lim said the group is eyeing opportunities in India and China.He added IHH is looking at Bangalore and Delhi as part of their plans to enter India.
PERISAI PETROLEUM TEKNOLOGI [] Bhd is targeting a 30% growth for both revenue and profit for the next three years, supported by its production and drilling divisions.
"The internal management target is to grow about 30% and this will be supported by three major projects in our production and drilling divisions," managing director Izzet Ishak told reporters after the group's AGM today.
He added that the group has allocated about RM650 million for capital expenditure (capex) for the next three years to cover its three main projects.
Ishak noted that its capex would be funded by borrowings and internally generated funds.
"We are positive on our outlook and our shareholders understand that we are in the phase of expansion," Ishak said, adding that Perisai will consider paying dividends.
GLOMAC BHD [] reported a 44% rise in fourth quarter profit from a year earlier due to lower payment to minority shareholders. But revenue fell 10%.
During 4QFY13, Glomac had paid RM921,000 to minority shareholders compared to RM15.09 million a year earlier, its income statement shows.
The property developer said net profit came to RM31.19 million in the quarter ended April 30, 2013 (4QFY13) compared to RM21.63 million previously.
Revenue fell to RM220.55 million versus RM244.46 million.
For the full year, Glomac Bhd recorded a 19% increase in net profit to RM101.48 million from RM85.16 million a year earlier. Revenue rose to RM665.87 million from RM652.41 million.
Glomac has proposed a final gross dividend of 3.5 sen per share less 25% tax for FY13. This brings total dividends for the year to 6.5 sen, higher than the 5.5 sen paid in the previous financial year.
Looking ahead, Glomac said it plans to launch RM1.3 billion worth of PROPERTIES [] in FY14. It will focus on townships and niche-landed residential projects.